Adding new Services to the AREDN Mossel Bay Mesh Network

I have been very busy the last two months, therefor the lack of posts for March and April 2019.  It is fairly easy to install mesh nodes and setting up a Mesh Network. The real challenge comes to what services you going to provide on the mesh for NGO's, the community and when all is quiet for fellow radio amateurs to use.

The past two months I concentrated on linking software together to get rid of  RF two way radio disparity in this area.  I mentioned it before that every NGO and first responders with two way radios use different frequencies and bands.  Some use digital others analog and this resulted that they cannot communicate with each other during disasters/emergencies.   The 2017 and 2018 Fires in this area once again resulted in this discrepancy/disparity and cellphone providers had to be asked to donate airtime in order for first responders to communicate with each other and their families.  NOW THIS IS FAR FROM IDEAL - What happens when the Internet, Landlines and Cell Towers go down?

I do have a robust solution for this disparity and have come up with the following relay/broadcasting methods/interlinking should NGO and first responders wish to use such systems in times of need.   It might not be the alfa and omega but it works relatively well and has been tested several times these past two months with a 90% success rate.  I am still working on the various services/methods/interlinking.

I will first list all the current working methods.  It is however not possible for me to give further details of how and what to do at this stage as your setup/equipment differs from mine.  What works for me might not work for you.  I hope to gradually providing manuals on how to do the interlinking as per my setup and equipment:

1. Stream MP3 Audio File with WinAmp/Edcast/Icecast on the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network (ZS1-2 Node) via Chrome Browser and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phone. 
2. Stream MP3 Audio File with VLC/Icecast on the Aredn Mossel Bay Network (ZS1-2 Node) via Chrome Browser and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phone.
3. Stream Internet Radio with WinAmp/Edcast/Icecast/Mumble on the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network (ZS1I-2 Node) and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phone.
4. Stream Internet Radio with VLC to ZELLO and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phone.
5. Stream ZELLO amateur radio audio with Mumble on the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network (ZS1I-2 Node) and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phone.
6. Stream MP3 Audio File or Amateur Radio Station with VLC to Echolink and ZELLO simultaneously and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones.
7. Stream Echolink (Amateur Radio VOIP) on ZELLO and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones. 
8. Stream Echolink (Amateur Radio VOIP) audio on ZELLO and the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network (ZS1I-2 Node) and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones.
9. Stream UHF/VHF Radio audio via Echolink to ZELLO and the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network (ZS1I-2) and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones.
10. Stream Echolink (Amateur Radio VOIP) audio via AllStar and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones.
11. Stream AllStar audio to Echolink (Amateur Radio VOIP) and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones.
12. Stream AllStar audio to Echolink, ZELLO and the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network (ZS1I-2) and listen on Laptop or Mobile Phones.

Enough for now.  I have tested the above setups successfully and extensively.  This might sound a bit over the top but let me reassure you it is very handy to have and use in different situations.  I must add that I do not permit any TX/relay/transmissions on the amateur radio band/systems by unlicensed members of the public.  This will only be allowed should it be necessary during a major disaster when lives are at stake.  So rest assure it is not a free for all!

Finally the above software/network/RF Links is for licenced radio amateurs but we make provision via ZELLO for people interested to become radio amateurs. Currently we have a few prospective radio amateurs that writes the amateur radio examination in May and they make use of ZELLO  to listen to amateur radio broadcasts, bulletins, news etc. via the above systems/links/software.

If all else fails ZELLO and Echolink will be down but the Aredn Mossel Bay Mesh Network will be there to communicate with.  My personal opinion is you use which ever communications medium is available and working during times of disasters.  AREDN has shown to be very effective in many different situations and is therefor the first choice of emergency communications  for Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape.  Join us and experience the real power of AREDN for yourself!!